Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach Antonio Pierce has emerged as the leading candidate to become the Raiders full-time head coach, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter.
Interim coach Antonio Pierce has emerged as the leading candidate to become the full-time head coach in Las Vegas, with the support of key players there, per league sources. There will be other options for Raiders’ owner Mark Davis to consider, but as one source said, “I would be… pic.twitter.com/KhLmROeGAJ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 13, 2024
This report comes amid rumors that the Raiders have shown interest in Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh. In an article from Bleacher Report, Ian Rapaport and Tom Pelissero say that there are two different camps within the Raiders organization.
“Inside the Raiders’ extended family—including fans and ex-players—sources say there have emerged a Harbaugh camp and a Pierce camp, with the locker room publicly united behind its interim coach. Crosby, one of the respected leaders and sounding boards for Mark Davis, has been through rebuilds in the past, doesn’t want to go through another one again and believes Pierce has earned the right to continue building upon the culture and energy he built in Las Vegas this season.”
Antonio Pierce had the Las Vegas Raiders playing some of the best defense in the league during his time as interim head coach
During his time as interim head coach for the Las Vegas Raiders, Antonio Pierce had the defense playing better than it had been all year. They were ninth in the league in points allowed per game, and one of their best performances came against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Chiefs just delivered 2 Christmas presents in a row to the Raiders defense. 🎁
Raiders are leading, 17-7.
— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) December 25, 2023
The Raiders capped off their season with another great performance against a division rival in the Denver Broncos. The Broncos averaged over 100 rushing yards per game heading into their matchup with the Raiders. Las Vegas held them to just 48 yards on the ground with five sacks to boot.
The Raiders had just 27 sacks last year with one of the best edge rushers in the league in Maxx Crosby. This season, with the help of Pierce, they finished with 41 sacks.
Las Vegas Raiders players are vying for Antonio Pierce to become the full-time head coach
One notable player that is vying for Antonio Pierce to become the full-time head coach is Maxx Crosby. He has even come out and said that he would seek a trade if Pierce were not named the head coach of the Raiders.
#Raiders star DE Maxx Crosby will request a trade if the team doesn’t retain interim head coach Antonio Pierce (@RapSheet). pic.twitter.com/NCNthzzbaK
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) January 13, 2024
Las Vegas Raiders Davante Adams on new HC Antonio Pierce:
“I’m ready to run through a wall for that man” pic.twitter.com/N5FAWmc6nO
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) November 3, 2023
Inside the #Raiders locker room with HC Antonio Pierce… and just watch how Davante Adams is locked in on what he’s saying.
The ending here is also great.
Pierce has brought a new energy to Vegas.pic.twitter.com/xolGcoJiLr
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 6, 2023
Pierce already has the players on his side and he has proven that he can win against some of the best competition in the league. The Raiders now have to determine if it is worth losing one of their best players to go with another coach.
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